The Southern Oregon Historical Society Library is open!
The current hours are 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Appointments are not necessary. Please contact library@sohs.org, or call 541-622-2025 ex 200 to ask questions or request research.
Southern Oregon Historical Society maintains its Library and Archives at 106 N. Central Avenue in Medford.
Library and Archives
Southern Oregon Historical Society maintains its Library and Archives at 106 N. Central Avenue in Medford. The Jackson County Library District partners with the Southern Oregon Historical Society to ensure the public has access to SOHS's unique collection of documents, photographs, maps, films, and other materials. User fees are waived for all Jackson County residents thanks to this partnership.
The Library is staffed by a professional Archivist, assisted by volunteers who combine their knowledge of local history with knowledge of SOHS's collection.
Our online indexes provide access to many SOHS resources.
Location & Hours
Tuesday through Saturday
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
106 N. Central Avenue
Medford, Oregon 97501
Phone: (541) 622-2025
Admission is FREE for SOHS members and Jackson County residents, $5 per visit or question for others
SOHS Library
Research Request
Thank you for your interest in the Southern Oregon Historical Society Library. If you are an SOHS member OR a resident of Jackson County, your fee is waived. Please submit your question to us at library@sohs.org and include your address or membership status. (Or call 541-622-2025 ex 200, or just come to the Library.)
If you are NOT a member or Jackson County resident, use the "Non-Member/Resident Research Request" button below to send the $5 fee with your question. This covers a search of basic sources or about one half hour. Additional research will only be done after approval, at a charge of $10 per half hour. Other fees for copying or photos may apply. If you have questions or comments, please contact SOHS at 541-622-2025, ext. 200.
Submit Your
Research Question
If you are an SOHS member OR a resident of Jackson County, your user fee is waived.
ONLINE SOURCES
SOHS Research
The SOHS Library maintains multiple catalogs and indexes in order to maximize access to its materials. The Research Menu above provides access to many, but not all, SOHS Library and Archives sources. Please be sure to search the Online Catalog, too, and visit, call or email the Library for assistance.
Online Sources
Online Catalog
The online catalog covers thousands of artifacts that are in the SOHS collection, and provides images for many of them. The photographs, documents, maps and library materials in the SOHS Archives are also included. The online catalog is not complete, however, and SOHS still depends on its old card catalog and printed materials to explore the archives.
Online Sources
Photos Index
The SOHS Archives includes over 100,000 photographs. Over 60,000 are indexed. Although most of the photos are not available online, there are links to nearly 4,000 photos embedded in the index. All other photos are available for purchase or viewing through the SOHS Archives.
Online Sources
Mega Index
This index covers multiple resources that provide information on people, places and events in Southern Oregon.
Online Sources
Biographies
SOHS staff and volunteers have written biographical sketches about notable southern Oregonians, and provided photos for each sketch.
Online Sources
As It Was Stories
If you are interested in some of southern Oregon's more colorful stories, try the As It Was stories. Each one has been aired on Jefferson Public Radio just once, but you can read and/or listen to the full text on the SOHS and JPR websites.
Online Sources
Address Index
SOHS has indexed multiple resources that provide historical information concerning properties in southern Oregon. Staff can also provide information on pursuing the history of your own home or building.
Online Sources
Frank Clark Inventory
Frank Clark was such a well known and distinguished architect in southern Oregon that an inventory of his buildings and homes was done in 1982. The results of that inventory, plus information about Frank Clark projects from other sources, are available on our website.
Online Sources
Century Farms
Southern Oregon Century Farms are listed on this page, and eventually photos and additional information will be added.
Online Sources
Search Other Sites
This helpful page provides a way to search multiple other websites once, then view the results from each site. All of us tend to forget sometimes that the Jackson County Genealogical Society Library, the Medford Mail Tribune, SOU and, last but not least, the Southern Oregon History Revised websites are incredibly rich resources. This search page is a great reminder, and a tool that simplifies searching. The page also lists additional resources, such as the public libraries, but does not search their collections.
Online Sources
Film List
SOHS Archives includes 5,000 or more film clips. These are being digitized by volunteers and indexed as they complete the process. Although the films are not yet available for online viewing, they may be viewed during SOHS Library hours. More volunteers are needed for this ambitious and interesting project.